Former Premier League star derails his own Monterrey team in Liga MX slump

Since Anthony Martial joined Monterrey, the team has managed just one win. On top of that, they lost their place atop the league standings, and the Clásico Regio is fast approaching.

Martial’s unwanted impact in Monterrey

Monterrey has been off form for a month. In their last five matches, they’ve won only once, coinciding with Martial’s arrival. The French forward’s debut saw Monterrey claim a narrow 1-0 home victory over Santos Laguna, their only win with him in the squad so far.

Martial made his first Liga MX start against the Guerreros, playing 71 minutes, the most he’s played in a match for Monterrey to date. His other appearances came against América, Tijuana, and Pumas, starting again in the lineup against the latter.

Rayados’ humbling defeat to Toluca

One game that will likely haunt Martial was the heavy loss to Toluca. He came on as a second-half substitute with Monterrey trailing 4-2, expected to help turn the match around. Instead, he struggled to make an impact, and Monterrey conceded two more goals, suffering one of the worst defeats in the club’s history.

How Monterrey thrived before Martial

Before Martial’s arrival, Monterrey played eight matches in the Apertura 2025 without him, winning seven and losing just one. They led the standings at the start of Week 9, when Martial made his debut, with 21 points. Since then, they’ve picked up only six out of a possible 15, dropping to fourth place.

By Week 10, Monterrey held a six-point lead over their archrivals, Tigres. Now, the gap is just one point. This week is crucial with a double matchday, and next weekend’s Clásico Regio looms large. If Monterrey and Martial fail to turn things around, the team could slip to fifth, leaving their neighbors looking down from above.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.